Couldn’t ask for better dogs to spend my sick morning with though, they all had the perfect opportunity to run riot with my brain and body not functioning at full capacity! But instead the sweethearts basically chaperoned me around the walks, keeping a close eye on me and giving me kisses at every opportunity. Bless…..I was not so sick though that I could not appreciate what a beautifully stunning morning it was up on Blackford Hill. And where did this heat come from!? Ok it’s not 30 degrees (thank goodness) but the we are definitely experiencing summer’s last breath I feel. Enjoying it while it lasts!

Now at home wrapped up and on the Beechams Gus, Molly and Elvi are lying next to me and across my feet keeping me warm. There is just no other way to say it……DOG ARE AWESOME!!!

We had some very wet walks this week, definitely the time of year now for everyone to purchase a little waterproof for their pooches.

I have had people in the past ask why dog-coat is necessary, after all they are dogs and should be able to cope with being outside right?

My reason for being pro dog-coats (especially a waterproof one) is as follows; all dogs are different and have different hair and fur types, some of which provide great protection from the elements. Cocoa (Spaniel/collie cross) and Murphy (Irish Terrier) for example have fantastic coats that withstand water extremely well. On the flip side Smudge’s coat (poodle cross) provides no protection from water as it soaks it up like a sponge! A dogs shaking action dispels water very efficiently from their coats and this is designed to help them prevent against hypothermia. However once again the shaking actions efficiency depends on the coat type, when Murphy shakes he is pretty much dry! When Smudge shakes there is little to no difference. Regardless of how good your dogs natural coat is or not at protecting them against the weather, if they are out in the rain walking for an hour there are very few dogs who would not become soaked to the skin, and of course shaking provides no relief if they are still out in the rain.

I would like to stress carefully this has nothing to do with your dog being ‘tough’ or not! You cannot make your dog ‘tougher’ by walking them in horrendous weather without helping them stay warm. ‘What about working dogs?’ I hear you ask. Well on top of being bred for generations to have natural coats that withstand tough weather conditions there is also the following to consider….

When dogs are running around their body temperature rises, just like a persons would, and so whilst on the walk and active (for example working cattle as a working collie would) they are less likely to get or feel cold. However as soon as they stop they very quickly become cold and with soaking wet fur they would not be able to control their body temperature which would begin to drop. Once again this is very similar to people, everyone at one stage in their lives will have been caught out in the rain when on a walk/run/hike etc. What’s the first thing we do to get warm once we have stopped? Get out of our soaking wet clothes! But our dogs don’t have that option. With working dogs on top of the fact that they have been bred to have coats that withstand the elements they are also usually returned to a dry kennel with other dogs. They would then huddle together and the combined heat of their bodies would dry their coats and prevent hypothermia (there are obviously many working dog situations, that is just one scenario). Despite it’s breed if your dog does not come from a long line of working dogs, but rather lines that have been chosen for being good pets, then the reality is that it is very unlikely that any consideration has been given to how weather proof their natural coats are!!

Dog groomers are also very careful to dry dogs quickly and efficiently once they have been bathed, to prevent them becoming too cold.

In the end no matter how hardy your dog is, no matter what their breed, a simple waterproof coat that protects the majority of their body from the worst of the rain will go miles in helping your dog keep warm during the worst weather. And come on people, we live in Scotland! Buckets of rain and cold weather is kinda on the agenda for the majority of the year, so why wouldn’t you go that little bit further to help them stay warm.

Obviously there are breeds that in reality need very little to absolutely no help from us. Husky’s or Akita’s instantly spring to mind! Out of all my dogs I have to say that I think only Murphy (Irish Terrier) and Colin (Patterdale Terrier) have the kind of natural coats that would protect them for long periods of time out in the pouring cold rain! For everyone else, a little simple waterproof would go a long way.

I have posted on facebook page this week about the two simple inexpensive coats I would recommend. Please see the link below to read more;

The weather continues to keep up on our toes! Swinging for drizzle and damp to sunny spells and blue skies. I will have my whole wardrobe in my car soon haha! An outfit to change into at any given time 😉

Yesterday at The Dell we met with Milo and Cocoa, two Jackapoos who look very very like our Smudge! Though they are shorter legged. I had to take this photo as it was just too funny. Milo has hit ‘that age’ and has taken a shine to Smudge! Everytime Smudge came near Milo was attached to his back! Smudge never even told him off, it was so funny to see Smudge mounted by a mini-Smudge hehehe 😀

The rain clouds parting to show blue skies…time to strip off the layers again!

Hector is back after his holiday! Yey!!

Maud and Cocoa Bean playing….

An end of the walk biscuit treat, yum!

Hugo back with us again today, I am sure in another few weeks he will answer to Rocket (his nickname with us!) as I call him it on the walk so often. He is a whirlwind kinda guy 😀

Happy happy happy happy happy happy…..

Cocoa loves Winston’s red frisbee! Though today I had to wade in the river to retrieve it for her as unlike Winston she is rubbish at getting it out from underneath the water! Wet trainers….

Molly has a mini-me!!! This is Buster who is with another dog walker we meet often at Blackford Hill. So cute together!!

Tight crew 🙂 And introducing Elvis (L.V. for short!) who is a very young 13 year old lady. She did great on the walks today, for an elderly doggie she still has plenty of spring in her step! It is VERY rare for me to take out 6 doggies, my pack usually has a five dog limit. However Elvis was with us today for a trial and it was great for her to be out with such a great group of dogs who I trust completely!

Back at home out of the rain and it is most definitely snooze o’clock….ZZZZZzzzzzzzz